Athletic training device

ABSTRACT

A training device that includes a base member having opposed sides that are for grasping by the hands of a user, a cross bar supported over the base member, a support post mounted from the base member at a lower end of the support post and for supporting the cross bar at an upper end of the support post, and a pair of cables separately attached at opposite ends of the cross bar.

RELATED CASES

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/016,349, filed on Sep. 3, 2013, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/816,976,which was filed on Apr. 29, 2013, and which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to an athletic training deviceand pertains more particularly, to an apparatus and associated techniquefor improving cheerleading moves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cheerleading is a skillful sport that involves several different typesof movements. For example, stunts are defined as building performancesdisplaying a person's skill or dexterity. The stunts may range frombasic 2-legged stunts to 1-legged extended stunts and even high-flyingbasket tosses. There are numerous variations of each stunt, includingdifferent entries and dismounts.

A review of the prior art indicates that there are several types ofexercise apparatus that are associated with a shoe or sneaker. Refer,for example, to U.S. Pat. No. 4,596,387 to Roberts or U.S. Pat. No.4,728,103 to Fulton. However, this exercise apparatus is associated witha shoe or sneaker that is actually worn by the user of the exerciseequipment. Moreover, the existing prior art does not at all address anyparticular apparatus or device useful in improving cheerleading moves.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide adevice that is in particular adapted for improving cheerleadingmovements and that thus employs a base member of a shoe or sneaker formthat is manipulated by the hands of the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an athletictraining device that is particularly adapted for enhancing the power andstrength of a “base” person.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an athletictraining device particularly adapted for the training of cheerleadersand important in reducing injuries associated, in particular, with“stunting.”

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To accomplish the foregoing and other objects, features and advantagesof the present invention there is provided a training device thatincludes a base member having opposed sides that are for grasping by thehands of a user, a cross bar supported over the base member, a supportpost mounted from the base member at a lower end of the support post andfor supporting the cross bar at an upper end of the support post, and apair of cables separately attached at opposite ends of the cross bar.

In accordance with other aspects of the present invention there isprovided a swivel joint at the upper end of the support post forsupporting the cross bar from the support post and for swivel motionrelative to the support post; the swivel joint enabling swiveling of thecross bar in a plane that is substantially parallel to a base surface ofthe base member; a pivot joint at the lower end of the support post formounting the support post from the base member and for pivoting motionrelative to the base member; the base member being in the form of a shoeor sneaker and having an elongated slot for receiving a bolt thatsupports the pivot joint; the elongated slot enabling linear motion ofthe support post and cross bar relative to the base member; the basemember also having an upwardly facing channel in which the pivot jointresides; the cross bar may have a straight center section and opposedend angular sections, each end section having a means for attachment tothe respective cables; and wherein the base member may be in the foam ofa shoe or sneaker that has a double shape with an upwardly facingchannel between the double shape.

In accordance with still another version of the present invention thereis provided a training device in combination with weight trainingequipment to which a set of cables are attached. The training deviceincludes a base member having opposed sides that are for grasping by thehands of a user, a cross bar supported over the base member, a supportpost mounted from the base member at a lower end of the support post andfor supporting the cross bar at an upper end of the support post, andwherein the set of cables from the weight training equipment are eachseparately attached at opposite ends of the cross bar.

In accordance with other aspects of the present invention there isprovided a swivel joint at the upper end of the support post forsupporting the cross bar from the support post and for swivel motionrelative to the support post; a pivot joint at the lower end of thesupport post for mounting the support post from the base member and forpivoting motion relative to the base member; the base member being inthe farm of a shoe or sneaker and has an elongated slot for receiving abolt that supports the pivot joint, and wherein the elongated slotenables linear motion of the support post and cross bar relative to thebase member.

In accordance with still another version of the present invention thereis provided a training device in combination with a set of cables thatare attached at a fixed position at one end thereof. The training deviceincludes a base member having opposed sides that are for grasping by thehands of a user, a cross bar supported over the base member, a supportpost mounted from the base member at a lower end of the support post andfor supporting the cross bar at an upper end of the support post, andwherein the set of cables, at an opposed end thereof, are eachseparately attached at opposite ends of the cross bar.

In accordance with this last version of the present invention, otheraspects include a swivel joint at the upper end of the support post forsupporting the cross bar from the support post and for swivel motionrelative to the support post; a pivot joint at the lower end of thesupport post for mounting the support post from the base member and forpivoting motion relative to the base member; the base member being inthe form of a shoe or sneaker and has an elongated slot for receiving abolt that supports the pivot joint, and wherein the elongated slotenables linear motion of the support post and cross bar relative to thebase member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It should be understood that the drawings are provided for the purposeof illustration only and are not intended to define the limits of thedisclosure. In the drawings depicting the present invention, alldimensions are to scale. The foregoing and other objects and advantagesof the embodiments described herein will become apparent with referenceto the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are respective plan and side elevation views of a firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2C are illustrative perspective views of the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIGS. 3A-3D are further illustrations of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 wherein FIG. 3A is a side elevation view, FIG. 3B is afront view, FIG. 3C is a top view, and FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional viewtaken along line 3D-3D;

FIGS. 4A-4C are diagrams of this first embodiment of the presentinvention also illustrating the various motions that can be accomplishedin which FIG. 4A is a side elevation view, FIG. 4B is a side elevationview in a different position and FIG. 4C is a top view;

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate a second embodiment of the present inventionemploying a double shoe or sneaker construction in which FIG. 5A is aperspective view, FIG. 5B is a front view and FIG. 5C is an explodedperspective view;

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate other views of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.5 in which FIG. 6A is a side elevation view, FIG. 6B is a top view, andFIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6C-6C of FIG. 6B;

FIGS. 7A-7I illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention invarious views in which FIG. 7A is a front perspective view, FIG. 7B isan exploded front perspective view, FIG.

7C is a side elevation view, FIG. 7D is a side elevation view in adifferent position, FIG. 7E is a front view, FIG. 7F is a top view, FIG.7G is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7G-7G of FIG. 7F, FIG. 7His a rear perspective view, and FIG. 71 is a front perspective view; and

FIGS. 8A-8C, 9A-9C, 10A-10C, and 11A-11C are diagrams illustrating theuse of the training device of the present invention, in which FIGS.8A-8C represent a first exercise sequence, FIGS. 9A-9C represent asecond exercise sequence, FIGS. 10A-10C represent a first exercisesequence with an apparatus, and FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate a secondexercise sequence with the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the single shoe version of the presentinvention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. This is illustrated by the shoe 10.This shoe or sneaker mimics the actual foot of the flier or person thatis being lifted. The illustrations in FIGS. 8-11 are helpful inunderstanding the manner in which the shoe or base member is employed bythe person so as to preform certain exercises and to thus improve thestrength and agility of the base person.

The shoe 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4 preferably has a hard plastic or rubbersole 12, and an intermediate soft grip 16 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The rearportion of the soft grip 16 may be provided with a finger grip 18 asillustrated in FIG. 2B. A similar finger grip may be provided (notshown) at the front of the shoe or sneaker construction. The shoe orsneaker construction 10 is also referred to herein as a base member.

The upper shell 14 is configured with opposed, upwardly-directed wallsdefining a channel 19. The channel 19 is for receiving retainingcomponents that enable an interconnection between the shoe and cablingsuch as illustrated in FIGS. 8-11. These components such as shown in anexploded view in FIG. 2C, include a crossbar 20, a support post 22,bearing 24, and Allen bolt 26. The upright walls that define the channel19 receive the base end 23 of the support post 22. The Allen bolt 26with its associated locknut 27 retain the base 23 in place. The Allenbolt 26 is capable of sliding within opposed slots 28. The Allen bolt 26passes through the circular support member 23. The top of the post 22 isengaged with the bearing 24 and is secured in place to the crossbar 20by means of the locknut 30 and associated washer 31. The crossbar 20 isalso provided with end holes 32. These represent eyelets for theattachment of cables

Reference may now be made to FIGS. 4A-4C regarding the various motionsregarding the various motions that are enabled by the particularapparatus disclosed. Arrow L shown in FIG. 4A represents a slidinglinear motion when the bolt 26 is capable of sliding within the slots28. In FIG. 4B the circular Arrow M represents a pivoting action at thebase 23 of the support post. This action allows a pivoting, asillustrated in FIG. 4B of the base member relative to the support post22. In the embodiment illustrated, this pivoting is basically betweenthe base 23 of the support post and the bolt 26, although, other pivotarrangements may also be provided at that location. Thus, FIG. 4illustrates the linear motion of the base member relative to thecrossbar indicated by the Arrow L while FIG. 4B illustrates the pivotingmotion of the base member relative to the support post and the crossbaras illustrated by the Arrow M. Lastly, FIG. 4C illustrates by circularArrow N a rotation about the longitudinal axis of the support post 22.Again, this is a rotation between the crossbar and the shoe structure.This may be referred to as a swivel joint. Note the bearing 24 in FIG.2C which can enable this swiveling motion between the crossbar 20 andthe support post 22.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5 and 6 for an embodiment that is similarto that described in FIGS. 1-4 but includes a double shoe constructionillustrated at 40. In this particular embodiment there is a channel 42disposed through the middle of the separate double shoe arrangement. Theremainder of the apparatus is substantially the same as described in thefirst embodiment, thus including the crossbar 44, a pivot post 46,bearing 47, bolt 48, and a nut 49. These components, including thecrossbar 44 and support post 46, function basically in the same manneras previously described in connection with the first embodimentdescribed herein. Thus, in this embodiment the various degrees offreedom as explained in FIG. 4 also apply to this double shoeconstruction embodiment. Cabling can be connected at the end holes oreyelets 50 of the crossbar 44 in this embodiment.

Reference is now made to a further embodiment of the present inventionillustrated FIGS. 7A-7I. The mechanism illustrated in this embodiment,in many ways, is similar to that found in the previous embodimentsdescribed. The components illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7I include a basemember 80 in a shoe or sneaker form, a support post 82, and the crossbar81. The base member 80 is provided with upright walls that define thechannel 86. The channel 86 receives the bottom end of the support post82. A pin 84 may pass through the base member and through a lower holein the support post 82 for securing the support post 82 with the basemember 80. A latch 83 is also illustrated that may be a 2-piece memberand that is adapted to fit within the opposed slots 85 in theaforementioned upright walls. The latch 83 includes a rod member thatcan transition linearly within the slots 85. The rod member also fitswithin an elongated slot 89 in the support post 82. This combination ofthe latch 83 and the slot in the support post enables a certain amountof adjustment between the base member 80 and the crossbar 81 in thedirection of Arrow 90, such as illustrated in FIG. 7B. The latch 83 maybe considered as having locked and unlocked positions. FIG. 7A shows thelatch 83 in a locked position wherein the distance between the basemember and the crossbar is fixed in position.

The crossbar 81 also preferably has a straight section at its top thatextends on either side of a hub 92. FIG. 7B illustrates the support post82 secured to the hub 92 by means of a screw 88. The crossbar 81 alsohas angularly and downwardly extending ends 94. Each of these ends has afree end receives and secures thereto the respective eyelets 87. FIG. 7Ashows the eyelets 87 in place. FIG. 7A also shows the optional use of aresilient tubular handle member 96.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 8-11. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrated the basemember or shoe form of the present invention as used with cables 60.FIGS. 10 and 11 show the use of cables or tubes 60 as associated with afunctional trainer schematically illustrated at 62.

In FIGS. 8 and 9 the Reference No. 60 may denote cabling or other typesof tension members including tubing. The tubing may be secured about thefoot such as with the use of Velcro securing members. Alternatively, thetubing may be fixed to the floor or may be wrapped about or suitablyattached to any other sturdy and fixed object. The various positionsillustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 show different positions that can beattained. In all of these positions the user grasps the shoe 10 ateither side thereof and holds the shoe in place, preferably using one ormore of the finger grips. For example, in FIG. 8, the user is shown in afirst position stooped down; is shown in a more upright position withthe shoe at about chest level; and is furthermore shown with the shoestretched outwardly and upwardly. These various positions would simulatethe positions used in cheerleading movements.

Reference is now made to the schematic diagrams in FIGS. 10 and 11.These illustrations show positions substantially the same as previouslyillustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Again, in any one of these illustrationsthere are shown three separate positions to show the full motion of use.Again, in this embodiment the shoe is also grasped between the two handsof the user. This provides an improved technique in cheerleadingmovements, which in turn will reduce injuries that are associated inparticular with stunting moves in cheerleading. The apparatus of thepresent invention also is useful for other sports, such as in aerobaticsor in military applications. For example, these moves could simulatemoves such as throwing someone over a wall without needing a secondperson to be involved.

Having now described a limited number of embodiments of the presentinvention, it should now be apparent to those skilled in the art thatnumerous other embodiments and modifications thereof are contemplated asfalling within the scope of the present invention, as defined by theappended claims

1. A training device comprising: a base member having opposed sides thatare for grasping by the hands of a user; a cross bar supported over thebase member; a support post mounted from the base member at a lower endof the support post and for supporting the cross bar at an upper end ofthe support post; a pair of cables separately attached at opposite endsof the cross bar.